Visitor Services

Park visitors will find conveniently located service facilities along the Skyline Drive and at park waysides and other visitor areas. Services include merchandise, food, lodging, service stations, and a variety of books and maps about Shenandoah National Park.

For information about attractions, restaurants, accommodations and services outside the park, contact: Shenandoah Valley Travel Association, P.O. Box 1040, New Market, VA 22844, (540) 740-3132; Warrenton-Fauquier County Visitor Center, 183A Keith Street, Warrenton, VA 20186, (540) 347-4414; Virginia Tourism Corporation, (804) 786-2051; or the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, 901 East Byrd Street, Richmond, VA 23219, (804) 371-8100.

ATMs and Banks

Automated teller machines are available in the Dining Room Building at Skyland (Mile 41.7) and at Big Meadows Wayside (Mile 51.2). Banks are located outside of the park in Luray and other nearby communities.

Gas Stations

Only unleaded gas and oil are available at waysides. There are no auto repairs or towing services. The gas stations listed below are open spring through fall only, so make sure your tank is full before entering the park during winter. Hours of operation at waysides may vary, so check the visitor guide, Shenandoah Overlook, for current schedules.

Elkwallow Wayside (Mile 24.1) is open daily late March through early November.

Big Meadows Wayside (Mile 51.2) is open daily from late March through late November.

Loft Mountain Wayside (Mile 79.5) is open daily early May through late October.

Film

Cameras, film and supplies are available at both lodging facilities and waysides throughout the park. One-hour film processing is available in Luray and other nearby communities. Overnight film processing is available in Harrisonburg and surrounding communities.

Gift Shops

Various gift and craft shops are located throughout the park. They offer such items as handcrafted jewelry, wood carvings, pottery, quilts and woven items. Many of these items are produced by the skilled artisans of the Appalachian area. You will also find ecological and environmentally friendly products, including apparel, recycled paper products, cards and home décor. Included in the selection are Shenandoah National Park souvenirs and collectable items along with apparel, games, stationary and publications specific to Shenandoah—stop in and browse.

Lost and Found

For lost items, or to turn in found articles, go to any park ranger station, entrance station or visitor center. Property left in guest rooms will be held by the concessioner for return to the owner. After departing the park, send inquiries to Shenandoah National Park, Communications Center, 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835; or call (540) 999-3422.

Medical

The nearest hospitals are located in Front Royal, three miles north of the Front Royal Entrance Station; in Luray, 10 miles west of the Thornton Gap Entrance Station on U.S. 211; in Fisherville, five miles west of Rockfish Gap; and in Harrisonburg, 20 miles west of Swift Run Gap. For emergency ambulance service, call (800) 732-0911.

Post Office

Mail drops are located at the gift shops at Elkwallow, Skyland, Big Meadows, Lewis Mountain and Loft Mountain.

Religious Services

Services are sometimes sponsored by private organizations and offered to the public. Check at information desks for times and locations. Nearby communities offer a variety of religious services.

Showers and Laundry

ARAMARK, the park concessioner, provides wheelchair-accessible, coin-operated showers and laundry near campgrounds at Big Meadows, Lewis Mountain and Loft Mountain.

Special Services -

Wheelchair access is available at Skyland and Big Meadows lodging and dining facilities, the Lewis Mountain Campstore and Cabins, at many comfort stations, and at the concessioner-operated showers at Big Meadows, Lewis Mountain and Loft Mountain campgrounds. For visitors with hearing impairments, scripts of orientation films are available at visitor center information desks. The film The Gift shown at the Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center is captioned upon request.

The accessible Limberlost Trail (located at Milepost 43) is open for all. The trail had been closed in the fall of 2003 due to damage from Hurricane Isabel. Dead or dying large, old hemlock trees posed a threat to visitor safety. These hemlocks and other storm-damaged trees have been felled. These felled trees were left along the trail to naturally decompose and replenish the nutrients of the soil.

The trail's hard-packed, crushed greenstone surface is wheelchair- accessible so people with mobility limitations, families with baby strollers and novice hikers can enjoy it. -

Information or assistance may be obtained by calling the Virginia Relay Center at (800) 828-1120 (TDD) from within the state or (800) 828-1140 (voice). Or write to: Shenandoah National Park, 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835.

Stores and Supplies

Souvenirs, crafts, snacks and food service are provided at lodges and waysides. Camping supplies, groceries and gasoline may be purchased at waysides.

Elkwallow Wayside (Mile 24.1) offers limited groceries, camping supplies, gas, snacks, souvenirs and crafts. 

Big Meadows Wayside (Mile 51.2) is the place for groceries, camping supplies, gas, snacks, souvenirs and crafts. Showers and laundry facilities are located at the campground.

Loft Mountain Wayside (Mile 79.5) offers souvenirs, crafts, gas and snacks, and is located along the Skyline Drive. 

Lewis Mountain Campstore (Mile 57.5) offers souvenirs, crafts, camping supplies, groceries, showers, and laundry facilities.

The Loft Mountain Campstore (Mile 79.5) features souvenirs, groceries, camping supplies, showers and laundry and is located near the campground.